Las Vegas NowLas Vegas Metro Officer Shot and Killed, Another Injured
Read for information on how to donate to the fund for the Prendes family. More>>
Sgt. Henry Prendes, killed in the line of duty on Feb. 1.
Amir Rashid Crump fired 50 rounds at police from an assault rifle.
Officer wounded in the line of duty on Feb. 1.
Metro officers began to gather at UMC.
Crime scene near Durango and RussellOfficer Down Memorial: Sgt. Henry Prendes
Hear the 911 Calls Prior to Wednesday's Shooting
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Metro police officers are still reeling from a shooting that claimed the life of a fellow police officer on Wednesday. It was a domestic violence call that led to the officer being shot and killed and another officer being wounded.
Metro police, families and neighbors are all trying to cope with the death. This is the first time in 17 years that a Metro officer was shot and killed in the line of duty.
More information about Sergeant Henry Prendes is being released. Prendes, a 14-year veteran, was responding to a domestic violence call where 21-year-old Amir Rasheed Crump was allegedly beating his girlfriend. When police arrived the gun fight erupted that left Prendes dead and another officer shot three times in the leg. Police say the second officer shot and killed the suspect.
On Thursday, the captain at the Southwest Area Command Center shared how he watched Prendes, a Las Vegan native, grow into the officer he was.
"We don't run from gun fire, we run to it," said Capt. mark Tavarez, Metro. And tragically, that's what Sergeant Henry Prendes did. "I was shocked to learn of his passing, but not that Henry was the first one at the door trying to protect people he doesn't even know."
As flags fly at half staff throughout the city, his captain, Mark Tavarez talks about his fallen friend. "He went after everything with enthusiasm that was unparallel." Sergeant Prendes was in charge of seven officers, and had been at the Southwest Area Command Center for just three months. But quickly gained the respect by many.
"A good a cop, a good supervisor, but as a well-rounded person who was a good family man, enjoyed life, he brought something to this community," Tavarez said. An individual who had a lot of courage, poise, and professionalism that was demonstrated yesterday for the entire community to see. A city, Sergeant Prendes was proud to be from.
Residents in the neighborhood where the deadly shooting happened are also dealing with emotional issues. Some neighbors saw the incident unfold and couldn't believe what was happening.
"He shot the policeman. And the policeman was on the ground and my husband could still hear the shots and the policeman was screaming. He couldn't sleep all night," said Nadia Yalda, neighbor.
Prendes loved Las Vegas. This was his community. He chose to stay here. He wanted nothing more than to be a police officer. A police officer who will forever be remembered, and who's picture will soon join this wall of honor for past fallen officers of our community.
Sergeant Prendes leaves behind a wife and two daughters. Captain Tavarez has been in contact with his wife and says she is holding up the best she can. Sergeant Prendes was 37 years old.
Officers Reflect on Life of Sgt. Henry Prendes
Gunman Used Low Cost Assault Weapon
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A spokesman for Metro's officers union says the loss of Sgt. Prendes in the line of duty, at the hands of someone with such a high-powered weapon, shows the playing field needs to be leveled. More>>
Amir Crump used a high-powered, low cost knock-off assault rifle in Wednesday's deadly shootout. Police train for these types of situations and they're prepared to deal with them, but they still never really expect them. More>>
